Vertically movable spray mechanism for washing machine

ABSTRACT

A vertically movable mechanism having a plurality of wash and rinse nozzles is moved linearly between pans stacked on edge. The wash and rinse sprays alternately impinge on the surfaces of the pan in order to provide full cleaning coverage. An alternative rotary wash and rinse spray may be used for horizontally disposed bowls and utensils.

United States Patent lnventors Robert K. Nolte Chatham; Edwin DanaCowles, Engl'shtown, both of, NJ.

Appl. No. 728,161

Filed May 10, 1968 Patented Aug. 10,1971

Assignee Metalwash Machinery Corporation Elizabeth, NJ.

VERTICALLY MOVABLE SPRAY MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINE 31 Claims, 14Drawing Figs.

11.8. C1 134/99, 134/172,134/176 Int. Cl. 1308b 3/02 Field of Search134/99, 140, 172, 176

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1913 Lilleberg 134/172 9/1924Bacharach 134/172 3/1927 Merseles l34/176(UX) 1/1942 Webb 134/99 3/1955Jackson 134/176 X 10/1957 Pollock et a1.. 134/176X 11/1966 Dunham134/176 X FOREIGN PATENTS 6/ 1961 Switzerland 134/140 PrimaryExaminer-Robert L. Bleutge Anorney Nolte and Nolte ABSTRACT: Avertically movable mechanism having a plurality of wash and rinsenozzles is moved linearly between pans stacked on edge. The wash andrinse sprays alternately impinge on the surfaces of the pan in order toprovide full cleaning coverage. An alternative rotary wash and rinsespray may be used for horizontally disposed bowls and utensils.

'n I!) N VERTICALLY MOVABLE SPRAY MECHANISM FOR WASHING MACHINE Thisinvention relates generally to washing machinery for the cleaning ofmetallic objects such as those used in industrial applications and moreparticularly such apparatus wherein a vertically movable washing headpasses between stationarily supported articles to be cleaned.

One general form of prior art construction provides an elongated,longitudinally movable conveyor means on which the articles to becleaned are supported. The conveyor means transport the articles pastfixed nozzles that dispense washing solution and a rinse water. Anexample of this type of construction is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,160,262dated Dec. 8, 1964. Still another form of prior art constructionprovides, generally, a rack for supporting pans on their edge in asubstantially vertical plane and a rotary water wheel for deliveringwash and rinse water.

The present invention distinguishes over the prior art described abovein that the articles to be cleaned are stationarily supported back toback on their edges in a substantially vertical plane and the spraymechanism for the washing solution and rinse water is verticallyreciprocated between spaced pairs of pans. It will be appreciated fromthe following more detailed description that neither the conveyor systemfor the pans nor the rotary water wheel for the wash and rinse solutionis used in the same manner as in the prior art devices. The presentinvention represents an improvement over the prior art wherein conveyormeans were required to move the articles past the washing and rinsingmeans.

The present invention also represents an improvement over that portionof the prior art wherein a rotary water wheel directed the wash andrinse liquids against vertically standing pans. The present inventionassures that a more even spray impingement and coverage is available. Asan additional feature, the present invention provides means foralternatively washing and rinsing pans in a horizontal position.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide animproved, compact industrial washing apparatus.

It is another important object of this invention to provide anindustrial pan washer utilizing a vertically movable elevator whichincludes wash and spray material dispensing means in combination withmeans for stationarily supporting the pans.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for stationarilysupporting the articles to be washed on their edges whereby they are ina substantially vertical plane and the wash solution and rinse water isdispensed by means moving vertically between the articles.

It is still another object of this invention to provide in theabove-mentioned apparatus means for disabling the vertically movableliquid-dispensing means and providing means for support of the articlesto be washed in a horizontal plane by means of rotary spray mechanisms.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide a combinationofwash and rinse nozzles on a single vertically movable elevatormechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination wash andrinse nozzle mechanism in a single rotary mechanism.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe pointed out with particularity and will become obvious from thefollowing more detailed description of the invention, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms an integral partthereof.

In the various figures of the drawing, like reference charactersdesignate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section and partly broken away,of the preferred embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view, partly broken away, taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is another sectional taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 1;

FIG,. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken along line 6-6of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; 5

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, taken alongline 9-9 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view in section taken along line 10-10ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a transverse, sectional, detailed view of a rinse nozzletaken along line 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a transverse, sectional, detailed view of a wash nozzle takenalong line 12-12 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational view illustrating anoptional feature of the present invention wherein horizontally disposedpans are stationarily supported for washing and rinsing by means of arotary spray device; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow pattern of the washsolution and rinse water for both the elevator portion of this inventionand the optional, rotary spray portion.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is shown an industrial washergenerally designated by the reference character 20. The housing for thewasher is defined by front and back walls 22 and 24, sidewalls 26 and 28and top wall 30. An access opening 32 is provided in the front wall forinsertion and removal of the articles to be washed. Although notillustrated, a door may be provided over the access opening to fullyenclose the interior of the machine when it is in use.

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 it will be seen that angle bars 34 extend betweenand are secured to the front and rear walls 22 and 24 respectively.U-shaped frames 36 are rigidly secured to the top surface of each anglebar and are arranged to support a removable article support rack 38which extends substantially across the entire width of the machine. Therack 38 is comprised ofa plurality of horizontal rods 40 and a pluralityof upwardly extending side rods 42 disposed in vertical planes. The siderods are spaced transversely across the width of the rack and aregrouped in pairs to define spaces 43 therebetween for accommodating twopans in back-to-back arrangement. Rods 44 are secured at the rear ofeach pair of side rods to limit the rearward movement of the pans thatare slipped in and removed from front through access opening 32. Itshould be noted that while the rack is removable from the machine sothat other racks having different dimensions may be substituted, therack itself is not intended to be functionally movable when the machineis in use and therefore the pans are not moved during the operation ofthe machine.

The housing of the machine further includes a bottom wall 46 which isprovided with an enlarged opening 48 that accommodates a readilyremovable filter screen 50. A tank or reservoir 52 for the wash solutionis positioned below wall 46 and is provided with an overflow ordrainpipe 54 extending thereinto. It will be seen particularly in FIG. 1that the bottom wall 46 is sloped downwardly to the left so that thewash and rinse water may drain, by gravity, through the filter screenand into the tank wherefrom it is recirculated. Pump means 56 ispositioned beneath bottom wall 46 and is in fluid connection with theinterior of the tank so that the wash solution may be pumped to theinterior of the machine in a manner to be described more fullyhereinafter. Although not illustrated, heating means for the washsolution in the tank may be provided as well as a temperature regulatorfor the wash solution. These components are conventional in the art andtheir construction and function need not be described in any greaterdetail. It is also desirable although not illustrated, to provide a ventfan at the top of the cabinet on the top wall 30.

The vertically movable elevator assembly 60 for the wash and rinse sprayis located within housing 20 proximate the rear plan view, partly brokenaway,

wall 24 thereof. In order to move the elevator up and down, a gear motor62 is mounted on the top wall 30 of the housing and a crank arm 64 iscoupled to the output shaft of the motor to be rotated thereby. Sprocketmember 66 is rotatably secured near the outer end of the crank arm and aroller chain 68 is trained about the sprocket. One end of the rollerchain is fixed to a bracket 70 that is, in turn, secured to the top wall30 of the housing. As is shown particularly in FIG. 1, the roller chain,in addition to being trained about sprocket 66, is also trained about anidler sprocket 72 that is rotatably journaled in a bracket 74 mounted onthe top surface of housing 30. The opposite end of the roller chain 68terminates in a bracket 76 that is suitably secured to a portion of theelevator mechanism (FIG. 6).

It will be appreciated that, for each revolution of the gearmotor outputshaft, the crank arm 64 will make one revolution and in so doing, willfirst lower the elevator spray assembly towards the position shown indotted outline in FIG. 1, and then will raise the elevator assembly tothe solid showing in FIG. 1. This action will be continued as long asthe motor is running. It may also be seen in FIG. 1, that acounterweight 78 is provided for the elevator assembly. Thecounterweight is secured to one end of a roller chain 80 whose oppositeend is mounted on the same axis as sprocket 66. Still another sprocket82, rotatably mounted on a bracket 84 that is secured to the top surfaceof the housing 30 is provided for the roller chain 80. To assurepositive control and guidance of the elevator assembly 60 brackets 85are secured to the lateral ends thereof and extend rearwardly as may beseen in FIG. 4. Each bracket 85 has a pair of spaced rollers 86journaled thereon, the space between each pair of rollers being sized toaccommodate one leg of a vertically disposed angle bracket 87 that isrigidly secured to rear wall 24. It will be appreciated that theelevator will be smoothly guided along a vertical path fby means of thecombination ofthe rollers and guides.

The construction of the spraying apparatus for the elevator mechanism 60will now be described in detail and in particular, with reference toFIGS. 6, 7 and 8. A hollow pipe 90 extends between the top andbottommost walls of the apparatus and is connected through conduit means92 to pump 56. At approximately the midpoint of the housing, pipe 90 isprovided with an aperture 94 and just below this aperture the internalbore of the pipe is plugged by means ofa cylinder 96. A hollow sleeve 98is spacedly disposed coaxially about pipe 96 by means of spacer members100. It will be seen in FIG. 6, that the wash solution entering throughthe top of pipe 96 travels downwardly and then out through the aperture94 in order to enter the annular space 101 between the pipe and thesleeve.

A pair of headers in the form of hollow pipes 102 and 104, arethreadably secured to sleeve 98 such that they extend outwardlytherefrom in opposite directions and span substantially the entire widthof the apparatus. It will be evident then that the bore of pipes 102 and104 is in fluid communication with annular space 101 and, by means ofthe aperture 94, with the interior of pipe 90 and the fluid source. Jetnozzles 106 are spacedly secured to and along the length of arms 102 and104 such that they are located between pairs of upright rods 42 of theutensil rack as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, when the spray elevator islowered, the wash-dispensing nozzles 106 will travel downwardly towardsthe position shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1 so that they are inbetween the confronting bottom surfaces of each two adjacent sets ofpans. Each pipe 102 and 104 includes a plurality of hollow pipes 108extending outwardly therefrom and in fluid communication with space 101,the interior of pipe 90 and the fluid source. Each pipe 108 includes aplurality ofjet nozzles 110 in fluid-communication with the interiorthereof. It will be seen in FIG. I, that nozzles 106 and pipes 108 arealternately placed transversely in the machine so that as the elevatoris lowered and raised the spray nozzles 110 will direct sprays of washsolution into the space between the pairs of vertical rods 42 of theutensil rack 38 to wash the contaminated surfaces ofthe pans.

A rinse head in the form of an elongated, transversely positioned pipe112, is secured to arms 108 by means of straps 1 14. The rinse head isfurther comprised of a plurality of pipes 115 extending outwardlyparallel to and below pipes 108. Straps 114 are disposed about pipes 108and 115. As may best be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, each pipe 115 includes aplurality of nozzles l 16 which receives clear rinse water through aconduit 118, that is connected to an external supply source (not shown).

From the immediately foregoing description, it will be observed that thenozzles 106, of pipes 102, 104 and 108 respectively, are all in fluidcommunication with the wash solution in tank 52 by means of pump 76,conduit 52, pipe 90 and aperture 94 in pipe 90. In the same mannernozzles l 16 of pipes are in fluid communication with the rinse watersupply by means of pipe 112 and conduit 118, having a flexible portion118' connected to pipe 112. It will also be apparent, that when themotor 62 is running, the elevator assembly will be raised and loweredbecause roller chain 68 is connected by means of bracket 76 to thesleeve 98. Spacers 100 assure smooth, trouble-free movement of sleeve 98relative to tube 90 and also provide a measure of sealing.

When the machine is to be used to clean bowls and various otherutensils, the elevator and the wash sprays connected therewith arefunctionally disabled and the articles labeled B in FIG. 13 arepositioned on a rack 120 which replaces rack 38. Positioned directlybelow rack 120 is a rotary spray device generally designated 122 whichis used only when the rack 38 is not used. The relative positions of therotary spray assembly 122 and rack 120 are illustrated in FIG. 13 andthe structural detail of the rotary spray assembly is shown in FIG. 9.

The rotary spray device 122 is comprised of a hub member 123 mounted ona bracket 124 that is secured on the top surface of bottom wall 46. Hub123 includes an internal chamber 125 and a port 125' to threadablysecure a conduit 126 thereto. The wash solution from tank 52 cantherefore flow through conduit 126 and hub 123.

Valve means 127, in line 126, permits opening of line 126 when therotary wash assembly is to be used. A fitting 128 having an internalchamber 129 that is in fluid communication with chamber 125 is rotatablyfitted into socket 130 of hub 123 to be in fluid communication withconduit 126. Hollow pipes 132, each having a plurality of wash nozzles134 and at least one driving jet nozzles 134, are threadably secured inappertures 135 of fitting 128 and extend outwardly from the center offitting 128 in order to dispense the wash solution. Nozzles 134 arearranged to deliver a cone of wash solution in a vertical direction toimpinge on pans B while the jet nozzles 134 are positioned at the outerends of arm 132 to direct ajet spray in the horizontal plane and inopposite directions in order to rotate arms 132. It should be understoodthat no motor drive is provided for the rotary spray means. The pressureof the water delivered through conduit 126 is sufficient to rotate thearms 132 through jet nozzles 134' in much the same manner as the commongarden sprinkler.

A hollow, nonrotatable pipe 136 extends downwardly through the chamber129 in the fitting 128 and terminates in a chamber 138 that isintegrally formed in hub member 123. It should be noted that chambers125 and 138 are separate to avoid a fluid mix and that chamber 138terminates in a threaded aperture 139. A rinse water conduit 140 isthreadably secured in the aperture 139 and is in fluid communicationwith the same source of rinse water as is conduit 118. A pin 141extending through pipe 136, in combination with the threads at thebottom end of pipe 136 prevents fitting 128 from moving upwardly out ofsocket 130 in hub 123 when the water is delivered under pressure.

A hub member 142 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of pipe 136 andis provided with hollow tubes 144 threadably secured in oppositelyfacing apertures 145. The enlarged upper end 136a of pipe 136 preventshub 142 from moving upwardly when the water is delivered under pressure.Each of the outwardly extending tubes 144 includes a plurality of jetnozzles 146 that are arranged to dispense the clear rinse water in arotary pattern. As shown in FIG. 11, the jets 146 dispense a cone ofliquid at an angle to the vertical. The rotary propulsion force for thearms 144 comes from the pressure with which the rinse water is deliveredin the same manner as arms 132. No motor drive is required. Rinse wateris delivered to the arms 144 and jet nozzles 146 through a conduit 148that is in fluid communication with the same rinse water supply asconduit 118. The rinse liquid from conduit 148 travels through conduit140, chamber 138 in hub 123, through hollow tube 136 and exits throughapertures 149 in the wall ofthe tube at the upper end thereof. A chamber150 in hub 142 is positioned about apertures 149 so that the rinseliquid may then flow to arms 144 and nozzles 146. It will be seen inFIG. 14 that a fitting 151 provides the common connection and that asolenoid valve 152 controls the How of water to the two rinse conduits118 and 140.

METHOD OF OPERATION When utensils such as baking pans are to be washed,they are loaded through access opening 32 and placed in an onedge-standing position on the rack 38. The pans are placed back to backwith their concave surfaces facing outwardly. Two pans are positionedbetween each pair of vertically standing rods 42 of the rack, as shownin FIG. 1. Pump means 56 and motor 62 are energized such that the washsolution is delivered to the spray head 60 and the elevator mechanism isset into motion. It will be seen that by the crank arm and sprocketarrangement the elevator will travel up and down and that spray nozzles106 will direct a stream of wash solution into the space defined by theclosely adjacent base portions of each pair of pans. At the same time,spray nozzles 110 will dispense the wash solution to the right and leftagainst the v concave faces of opposed pans that are positioned onadjacent pairs of rods 42. The wash solution drips off the pans andfalls against bottom wall 46 which is sloped to the left as shown inFIG. 1 whereby it drains into tank 52. Sediment that is removed from thepans by the wash solution collects on filter or strainer 50 which isremoved for cleaning at periodic intervals. The wash solution passingthrough the filter may then be recirculated by means of pump 56.

At suitable time intervals, the pumping of the wash solution is stoppedand the rinse water is pumped into header 112, and arms 115 whereby itis dispensed through nozzles 116 against the concave faces of the pans.The elevator continues to fall and rise being aided in its movement bythe chain 80 and counterweight 78. The rinse water may drain to thebottom wall 46 in the same manner as the wash solution. It should benoted that the rinse water is delivered simultaneously to the elevatorrinse system as well as the rotary rinse system 122. Although notillustrated, it is contemplated that suitable gauges for the washsolution temperature, the wash solution pressure and the rinse Watertemperature may be provided on the external surface of the housing, sothat the operator may control these functions very closely.

When large bowls or other utensils are to be washed, rack 38 is replacedby rack 120 and the bowls are placed in an inverted position as shown inFIG. 13. Valve 127 is opened so that the wash solution is directed tothe rotary spray mechanism and, at the appropriate time, the rinse wateris delivered to the rotary spray mechanism at the bottom as well as tothe elevator spray mechanisms. Both the wash solution and the rinsewater header of the rotary wash assembly, are secured to hollow hubswhich are freely rotatable on the base member into which the wash andrinse are introduced. lt will be noted that the wash solution header andthe rinse water header are out of phase with each other when they arerotatmg.

For maximum cleaning efficiency, the nozzles for the wash solution andthe rinse water in the elevator assembly are arranged to provide a spraythat is 30 off horizontal. That is, each spray cone covers an arc ofapproximately 120 and an overlap of adjacent spray cones may be providedby properly spacing the jet nozzles.

The bearings secured to the vertically movable sleeve in the elevatorassembly provides a measure of sealing in addition to their bearingfunction to thereby minimize leakage of the wash solution and to assurethat a maximum quantity of the wash solution is delivered to theheaders.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the inventionpresently contemplated. It is to be understood, however, that variouschanges and modifications may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. An improved utensil-washing machine comprising:

a. a housing having means for inserting and removing the utensils to bewashed;

b. utensil support means stationarily mounted within said housing havingpairs of spaced upstanding support members and a plurality of spacesbetween pairs of said spaced upstanding support means;

. a first spray means to direct a wash solution and a second spray meansto direct rinse liquid against the utensils; d. elevator means movablymounted in said housing and carrying said spray means; e. drive means tomove said elevator along a linear path past the utensils; means todeliver the wash solution and rinse liquid to said spray means; and

g. said first spray means being a pipe extending substantiallyhorizontally and provided with a plurality of spaced jet nozzles solocated that a predetermined number of said jets are aligned with eachof said spaces between pairs of said upstanding support members and apredetermined number of other jets are aligned with the areas betweenadjacent pairs of upstanding support members, said second spray meansfor said rinse liquid being located adjacent to said first spray meansand coupled thereto, said second spray means having a plurality ofspaced nozzles directed downwardly for dispensing said rinse liquidtherethrough towards said utensils to be washed.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said utensil supportmeans includes means to drain the wash solution and rinse liquidtherethrough and means to support the utensils on the edges thereof,said spray means during its linear movement passing between adjacentutensils.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claiml wherein said utensil supportmeans includes means to drain the wash solution and rinse liquidtherethrough there being further included rotary spray means positionedbelow said utensil support means to direct a wash solution and rinseliquid upwardly against the utensils.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rotary spraymeans comprises:

a. a fixed hub member having separate wash solution and rinse liquidinlet means;

b. a fitting rotatably mounted in said hub member and in liquidcommunication with said wash solution inlet means;

c. a first pair of hollow arms each having a plurality of spaced liquiddischarge means thereon, said arms being secured to said fitting andextending in opposite directions therefrom for rotation with saidfitting, said first arms being in liquid communication with said washsolution inlet means; and

d. a second pair of hollow arms each having a plurality of spaced liquiddischarge means thereon, said arms being mounted on said fitting forindependent rotation with respect to said first arms, said second armsbeing in liquid communication with said rinse water inlet means.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said liquiddischarge means on said first arms are jet nozzles, at least two ofwhich are directed in the horizontal plane and face in oppositedirections.

and said spray means 6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 whereinsaid liquid discharge means on said second arms are jet nozzles, atleast two of which are directed in the horizontal plane and face inopposite directions.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first andsecond pair of arms are angularly out of phase with each other.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further including tank meansin liquid communication with the interior of said housing to receive thewash solution and rinse liquid drained therefrom, said means to deliverthe wash solution comprising a pump having an inlet and outlet, saidinlet being in liquid communication with said tank and conduit means inliquid communication with said pump outlet and at least said first spraymeans.

9. An improved utensil-washing machine comprising a housing having meansfor inserting and removing the utensils to be washed, a utensil supportmounted in a fixed position within said housing, spray means to direct awash solution and rinse liquid against said utensils, elevator means insaid housing movably mounted in said housing and carrying said spraymeans, drive means to move said elevator and said spray means in alinear path past said utensils, said elevator means including a hollowtube rigidly mounted in said housing and in liquid communication at oneend thereof with said means to deliver the wash solution to said spraymeans, the other end of said tube being sealed, there being an aperturein the wall of said tube above said sealed end, a hollow sleevecoaxially mounted about said hollow tube to define an annular spacetherebetween, said sleeve having at least one aperture therein toreceive said spray means, said elevator means being coupled to saiddrive means to reciprocate said sleeve in two opposite directions alonga linear path, and means to deliver the wash solution and rinse liquidto said spray means.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including bearing meansdisposed about said tube in the annular space.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including first and secondbearing means sealingly disposed about said tube in the annular space,said first bearing means being above the aperture in said tube, saidsecond bearing means being below the aperture in said tube.

12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first andsecond bearing means are formed of a low coefficient of frictionmaterial.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said spray meansare comprised of a plurality of headers secured to said sleeve in liquidcommunication with the annular space and the interior of said pipe, saidheaders extending in a direction over said support means and having aplurality of means to discharge the wash solution, said discharge meansbeing spaced along the length of said headers.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said dischargemeans are jet nozzles.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said dischargemeans are jet nozzles alternately facing in substantially oppositedirections.

l6v The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said plurality ofheaders is comprised of a first set of headers extending outwardly fromsaid sleeve in a direction substantially parallel to one dimension ofthe apparatus and a second set of headers secured in liquidcommunication with said first set and extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to another dimension of the apparatus and atright angles to the first dimension.

17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said spray meansincludes a plurality of rinse headers coupled to said sleeve formovement therewith, said rinse headers extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to the depth of the apparatus and having aplurality of fluid discharge means spaced along the length of saidheaders, said rinse headers being in liquid communication with a sourceof rinse liquid.

18. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 including flexible conduitmeans providing communication between said rinse headers and the sourceof rinse liquid.

19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein said dischargemeans are jet nozzles.

20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein said jet nozzlesalternately face in substantially opposite directions.

21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drive meanscomprises:

a. a motor;

b. a crank arm having first and second ends, said first end beingoperatively connected to the output of said motor for rotation thereby;and

c. means coupling said crank arm second end and said elevator.

22. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21 wherein said couplingmeans comprises a sprocket rotatably mounted on said crank arm secondend and an elongated chain trained about said sprocket, one end of saidchain being nonmovably anchored, the other end of said chain beingsecured to a movable portion of said elevator means.

23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21 including counterweightmeans acting on said crank arm second end.

24. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further includingadditional, rotary spray means positioned below said support means, saidmeans to deliver the wash solution and rinse liquid being common to bothsaid spray means, there being included first valve means controlling theflow of rinse liquid to both said spray means and second valve meansselectively directing the flow of the wash solution to either one ofsaid spray means.

25. In a utensil washing machine having a housing, rack means tononmovably support the utensils within the housing and means to delivera wash solution and rinse liquid to the interior of the housing,improved means to dispense the wash solution and rinse liquid, saidimprovement comprising:

a. elevator means arranged for vertical movement in said housing;

b. spray means carried by said elevator means and in liquidcommunication with the wash solution and rinse liquid, said spray meanshaving discharge means arranged to direct the wash solution and rinseliquid against the surface of the utensils to be washed; and

c. means to move said elevator means up and down along a substantiallylinear path whereby said spray means travels past the utensils on thesupport rack;

d, a hollow tube rigidly mounted in the housing and in communication atone end thereof with the means to deliver the wash solution, the otherend of said tube being sealed, there being an aperture in the wall ofsaid tube above said sealed end;

e. a hollow sleeve coaxially mounted about said tube to define anannular space therebetween, said sleeve having at least one aperturetherein to receive said spray means; and

. said elevator means being coupled to said drive means to reciprocatesaid sleeve in two opposite directions.

26, The apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said elevatormeans includes low coefficient of friction first and second bearingmeans sealing disposed in the annular space, said first bearing meansbeing above the aperture in said tube, said second bearing means beingbelow the aperture in said tube.

27. The apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said spray meansare comprised of a plurality of headers secured to said sleeve in liquidcommunication with the annular space and the interior of said pipe, saidheaders extending in a direction over the rack means, said dischargemeans being spaced along the length of said headers.

28. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein said dischargemeans are jet nozzles alternately facing in substantially oppositedirections.

29. The apparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein said plurality ofheaders is comprised of a first set of headers extending outwardly fromsaid sleeve in a direction substantially parallel to one dimension ofthe apparatus and a second set of headers secured in liquidcommunication to said first set and extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to another dimension of the apparatus and atright angles to the first dimension.

30. The apparatus in accordance with claim wherein said spray meansincludes a plurality of rinse headers coupled to said sleeve formovement therewith, said rinse headers extending in a direction over therack means and having a plurality of

1. An improved utensil-washing machine comprising: a. a housing havingmeans for inserting and removing the utensils to be washed; b. utensilsupport means stationarily mounted within said housing having pairs ofspaced upstanding support members and a plurality of spaces betweenpairs of said spaced upstanding support means; c. a first spray means todirect a wash solution and a second spray means to direct rinse liquidagainst the utensils; d. elevator means movably mounted in said housingand carrying said spray means; e. drive means to move said elevator andsaid spray means along a linear path past the utensils; f. means todeliver the wash solution and rinse liquid to said spray means; and g.said first spray means being a pipe extending substantially horizontallyand provided with a plurality of spaced jet nozzles so located that apredetermined number of said jets are aligned with each of said spacesbetween pairs of said upstanding support members and a predeterminednumber of other jets are aligned with the areas between adjacent pairsof upstanding support members, said second spray means for said rinseliquid being located adjacent to said first spray means and coupledthereto, said second spray means having a plurality of spaced nozzlesdirected downwardly for dispensing said rinse liquid therethroughtowards said utensIls to be washed.
 2. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 1 wherein said utensil support means includes means to drain thewash solution and rinse liquid therethrough and means to support theutensils on the edges thereof, said spray means during its linearmovement passing between adjacent utensils.
 3. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said utensil support means includesmeans to drain the wash solution and rinse liquid therethrough therebeing further included rotary spray means positioned below said utensilsupport means to direct a wash solution and rinse liquid upwardlyagainst the utensils.
 4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3wherein said rotary spray means comprises: a. a fixed hub member havingseparate wash solution and rinse liquid inlet means; b. a fittingrotatably mounted in said hub member and in liquid communication withsaid wash solution inlet means; c. a first pair of hollow arms eachhaving a plurality of spaced liquid discharge means thereon, said armsbeing secured to said fitting and extending in opposite directionstherefrom for rotation with said fitting, said first arms being inliquid communication with said wash solution inlet means; and d. asecond pair of hollow arms each having a plurality of spaced liquiddischarge means thereon, said arms being mounted on said fitting forindependent rotation with respect to said first arms, said second armsbeing in liquid communication with said rinse water inlet means.
 5. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said liquid discharge meanson said first arms are jet nozzles, at least two of which are directedin the horizontal plane and face in opposite directions.
 6. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said liquid discharge meanson said second arms are jet nozzles, at least two of which are directedin the horizontal plane and face in opposite directions.
 7. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said first and second pairof arms are angularly out of phase with each other.
 8. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 further including tank means in liquidcommunication with the interior of said housing to receive the washsolution and rinse liquid drained therefrom, said means to deliver thewash solution comprising a pump having an inlet and outlet, said inletbeing in liquid communication with said tank and conduit means in liquidcommunication with said pump outlet and at least said first spray means.9. An improved utensil-washing machine comprising a housing having meansfor inserting and removing the utensils to be washed, a utensil supportmounted in a fixed position within said housing, spray means to direct awash solution and rinse liquid against said utensils, elevator means insaid housing movably mounted in said housing and carrying said spraymeans, drive means to move said elevator and said spray means in alinear path past said utensils, said elevator means including a hollowtube rigidly mounted in said housing and in liquid communication at oneend thereof with said means to deliver the wash solution to said spraymeans, the other end of said tube being sealed, there being an aperturein the wall of said tube above said sealed end, a hollow sleevecoaxially mounted about said hollow tube to define an annular spacetherebetween, said sleeve having at least one aperture therein toreceive said spray means, said elevator means being coupled to saiddrive means to reciprocate said sleeve in two opposite directions alonga linear path, and means to deliver the wash solution and rinse liquidto said spray means.
 10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9including bearing means disposed about said tube in the annular space.11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 including first and secondbearing means sealingly disposed about said tube in the annular space,said first bearing means being above the aperture in said tube, saidsecond bearing means being below the aperture in Said tube.
 12. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first and secondbearing means are formed of a low coefficient of friction material. 13.The apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said spray means arecomprised of a plurality of headers secured to said sleeve in liquidcommunication with the annular space and the interior of said pipe, saidheaders extending in a direction over said support means and having aplurality of means to discharge the wash solution, said discharge meansbeing spaced along the length of said headers.
 14. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 13 wherein said discharge means are jet nozzles.15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said dischargemeans are jet nozzles alternately facing in substantially oppositedirections.
 16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein saidplurality of headers is comprised of a first set of headers extendingoutwardly from said sleeve in a direction substantially parallel to onedimension of the apparatus and a second set of headers secured in liquidcommunication with said first set and extending in a directionsubstantially parallel to another dimension of the apparatus and atright angles to the first dimension.
 17. The apparatus in accordancewith claim 9 wherein said spray means includes a plurality of rinseheaders coupled to said sleeve for movement therewith, said rinseheaders extending in a direction substantially parallel to the depth ofthe apparatus and having a plurality of fluid discharge means spacedalong the length of said headers, said rinse headers being in liquidcommunication with a source of rinse liquid.
 18. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 17 including flexible conduit means providingcommunication between said rinse headers and the source of rinse liquid.19. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17 wherein said dischargemeans are jet nozzles.
 20. The apparatus in accordance with claim 17wherein said jet nozzles alternately face in substantially oppositedirections.
 21. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein saiddrive means comprises: a. a motor; b. a crank arm having first andsecond ends, said first end being operatively connected to the output ofsaid motor for rotation thereby; and c. means coupling said crank armsecond end and said elevator.
 22. The apparatus in accordance with claim21 wherein said coupling means comprises a sprocket rotatably mounted onsaid crank arm second end and an elongated chain trained about saidsprocket, one end of said chain being nonmovably anchored, the other endof said chain being secured to a movable portion of said elevator means.23. The apparatus in accordance with claim 21 including counterweightmeans acting on said crank arm second end.
 24. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 1 further including additional, rotary spray meanspositioned below said support means, said means to deliver the washsolution and rinse liquid being common to both said spray means, therebeing included first valve means controlling the flow of rinse liquid toboth said spray means and second valve means selectively directing theflow of the wash solution to either one of said spray means.
 25. In autensil washing machine having a housing, rack means to nonmovablysupport the utensils within the housing and means to deliver a washsolution and rinse liquid to the interior of the housing, improved meansto dispense the wash solution and rinse liquid, said improvementcomprising: a. elevator means arranged for vertical movement in saidhousing; b. spray means carried by said elevator means and in liquidcommunication with the wash solution and rinse liquid, said spray meanshaving discharge means arranged to direct the wash solution and rinseliquid against the surface of the utensils to be washed; and c. means tomove said elevator means up and down along a substantially linear pathwhereby said spray means travels past the utensils on the support rack;d. a hollow tube rigidly mounted in the housing and in communication atone end thereof with the means to deliver the wash solution, the otherend of said tube being sealed, there being an aperture in the wall ofsaid tube above said sealed end; e. a hollow sleeve coaxially mountedabout said tube to define an annular space therebetween, said sleevehaving at least one aperture therein to receive said spray means; and f.said elevator means being coupled to said drive means to reciprocatesaid sleeve in two opposite directions.
 26. The apparatus in accordancewith claim 25 wherein said elevator means includes low coefficient offriction first and second bearing means sealing disposed in the annularspace, said first bearing means being above the aperture in said tube,said second bearing means being below the aperture in said tube.
 27. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said spray means arecomprised of a plurality of headers secured to said sleeve in liquidcommunication with the annular space and the interior of said pipe, saidheaders extending in a direction over the rack means, said dischargemeans being spaced along the length of said headers.
 28. The apparatusin accordance with claim 27 wherein said discharge means are jet nozzlesalternately facing in substantially opposite directions.
 29. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 27 wherein said plurality of headersis comprised of a first set of headers extending outwardly from saidsleeve in a direction substantially parallel to one dimension of theapparatus and a second set of headers secured in liquid communication tosaid first set and extending in a direction substantially parallel toanother dimension of the apparatus and at right angles to the firstdimension.
 30. The apparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein saidspray means includes a plurality of rinse headers coupled to said sleevefor movement therewith, said rinse headers extending in a direction overthe rack means and having a plurality of liquid discharge means spacedalong the length of said headers and alternately facing in oppositedirections, said rinse headers being in liquid communication with asource of rinse liquid.
 31. The apparatus in accordance with claim 30wherein said discharge means are jet nozzles.